Charlena Berry is a dedicated leader, educator, and entrepreneur with a deep passion for helping businesses thrive in the cannabis industry. She holds a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management from Michigan State University and believes that learning never stops. Whether completing business programs at Penn State University and Florida State University, earning her Six Sigma certification, or obtaining a certificate in Artificial Intelligence from MIT, Charlena’s commitment to continuous education has always been at the core of her success.
 
Before launching her entrepreneurial journey, Charlena spent 13 years sharpening her skills at Fortune 500 companies like Whirlpool and Office Depot/Office Max. In 2016, she founded Cannabis Business Growth, where she’s dedicated her expertise to understanding the cannabis industry—particularly licensing, compliance, and operations.
 
Charlena is also the author of Breaking the Stigma – Racism, the Opioid Endemic, Lies, and Inviting Grandma to the Dispensary, which earned a 5-star review from Kirkus Reviews. In her book, she guides readers through the complexities of the cannabis industry, from overcoming outdated stereotypes to building sustainable brands that win customers and earn trust.
 
Her passion for marketing, operations, and success in the cannabis sector is unmatched. Charlena’s guidance has helped create some of the industry’s most successful operators—many of whom credit her with making their businesses possible. With over 200 license applications submitted and more than two dozen dispensary launches to her name, Charlena has built a reputation as a trusted expert in cannabis business operations.

In 2024, Charlena expanded her impact by becoming an Adjunct Professor at Farmingdale State College, part of the SUNY system in New York. Teaching gives her another platform to inspire and educate the next generation of professionals about the unique challenges and opportunities in the cannabis industry, and she’s excited to grow her teaching portfolio to reach even more students.

Through Cannabis Business Growth, Charlena and her team help businesses build the internal infrastructure they need for long-term success in this ever-evolving industry.

Alysia Gordy is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt with over a decade of experience in data analytics, human resources, and project management, including more than five years of specialized expertise in the cannabis industry. She is a results-oriented leader renowned for optimizing processes, enhancing organizational performance, and fostering employee engagement. Her work within the cannabis sector showcases a dynamic blend of operational management, compliance expertise, and innovative business development strategies.
In the cannabis industry, Alysia has driven the successful launch and operation of multiple retail locations, overseeing every detail from store construction and inventory management to licensing and compliance with intricate state and local regulations. She has developed comprehensive business plans and operational procedures tailored to the unique challenges of the cannabis sector, ensuring seamless compliance while maximizing efficiency. Her experience includes obtaining essential permits, configuring security and monitoring systems, and setting up accounting, payroll, and point-of-sale platforms critical to running compliant and successful cannabis operations.

Alysia’s work extends to talent acquisition and staff development in the cannabis space. She has trained employees at all levels—from managers to frontline sales teams—on operations, inventory control, and compliance practices. By implementing performance reviews, coaching programs, and employee incentive systems, she has consistently fostered high-performing teams aligned with organizational goals. Her ability to create engaging workplace cultures has led to improved employee satisfaction and retention, essential in an industry marked by rapid growth and unique workforce challenges.

Her expertise in compliance within the cannabis industry is particularly noteworthy. Alysia has ensured adherence to federal, state, and local laws by drafting and implementing company policies, addressing employee grievances, and leading investigations into potential violations. Her proactive approach to regulatory shifts has helped organizations remain ahead of evolving legal requirements, safeguarding their operations and reputation.

Beyond compliance and operations, Alysia has been a strategic partner in driving revenue growth in the cannabis sector. She has collaborated with leadership teams to develop pricing models, marketing strategies, and merchandising plans that enhance profitability. Her data-driven approach to identifying market opportunities has allowed businesses to adapt to consumer demands and maintain a competitive edge in the evolving cannabis landscape.
Alysia holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Western Michigan University, graduating with a perfect GPA of 4.00. Her professional expertise is underscored by her Six Sigma Black Belt certification, reflecting her commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Dedicated to innovation, compliance, and team development, Alysia continues to make a meaningful impact in the cannabis industry, leveraging her skills to drive success and foster sustainable growth.

David Kotler, Esq. a former prosecutor is a partner in Cohen Kotler P.A., located in Boca Raton, Florida and has been Of Counsel to Hoban Law Group since the inception of its’ national cannabis practice. Since the formation of Medical Marijuana Business Lawyers LLC, a practice area of Cohen Kotler, in 2014, Mr. Kotler was one of the first attorneys in Florida to undertake representation of clients hoping to operate in Florida under the Florida Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014 and after the legalization of full spectrum medical marijuana.
 
He has a wide range of experience in the cannabis industry from license applications in multiple states and Zimbabwe, Africa, to start-up and regulatory matters.  He currently consults with individuals and companies countrywide and has served as outside general counsel for numerous cannabis industry clients.
 
He sits on the advisory boards of The Cannabis Marketing Lab and Blunts and Moore, the first social equity applicant license winner to become operational in the U.S..  He has been interviewed by news sources including the Daily Business Review, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, National Public Radio in Miami, Florida, Marijuana Business Magazine, The New Times, and the Marijuana Business Daily among others.
 
He has written a monthly column for the Cannabis Industry Journal and is a contributor to Cannabis News Florida among other publications.   In 2019, Mr. Kotler was appointed by Agriculture Commissioner Nicki Fried to Florida’s first Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee.  
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Mr. Kotler’s operations work includes:
 

• Blunts and Moore, Oakland California Retail License Holder – Co-Founder, Member 

• Solurge, Massachusetts Provisional Medical License Holder for Cultivation, Processing, and Retail – Co-Founder and Chief Compliance Officer

• Maleza Hem, Zimbabwe Africa License Holder for Medical Cannabis and CBD Export –Obtained 1 of 37 licenses issued by the country after presentation to Cabinet,  Interim CEO.  

• The Bract House, Sonora California Medical Retail – Member (Pilot program, 1 of 2 licenses awarded by city for medical retail use, SUP issued, pending build out and state licensure) 

• Category 5 Farms, Sacramento California, Locally Permitted and State Provisionally licensed Cultivation, Manufacturing, and Distribution, Co-founder and minority interest holder.  

• Lake Life Farms, Big Rapids and Dimondale, Michigan - Chief Executive Officer for Lake Life's cultivation and retail operations.